Proper hydration fights skin dryness from within which in turn helps prevent and minimize the look of crows feet and fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead, under eyes and around the mouth.

A properly hydrated body also sweats more efficiently, which disinfects and shrinks pores and helps skin stay clear.

Indulge in Organic Low-Fat Dairy Products

The main role of Vitamin A within the human body is to keep skin cells healthy. Consuming the daily recommended amount of organic dairy product (2-3 servings) is the best way of obtaining enough dietary vitamin A to keep your skin cells healthy.

According to Dr.Liz Lipski, PhD, who is the founder and Director of InnovativeHealing.com and the author of Digestive Wellness, “it is doubly important to eat vitamin A-rich dairy foods if you have either diabetes or a thyroid condition. Many people who have these problems can not convert the beta carotene to vitamin A. The vitamin A in dairy products is ‘true’, so everyone’s skin can use it”.

The best dairy product for your skin health is low-fat organic yogurt which is not only high in vitamin A but also high in an array of “live” bacteria that are good for intestinal health. According to Dr. Lipski, the health of our digestive track directly impacts the health and appearance of our skin. “Anything that helps keep digestion normal, any live bacteria or enzymes, is also going to be reflected in healthy-looking skin,” says Lipski.

Indulge in Foods High in Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are vital to the health of our skin membranes, which is the part of the cell that holds water. So, the more foods high in essential fatty acids we consume, the stronger our skin cell membranes become, which in turn allow our skin to hold moisture better. This ability to hold moisture better translates into smoother, younger looking skin.

The best known essential fatty acids are Omega 3 and Omega 6. For optimal skin health, sufficient amounts of both of these two essential fatty acids must be present within the body. Though mot Americans consume enough Omega 6, most of our diets lack foods high in Omega 3.

The following is a short list of foods known to be high in Omega 3:

Salmon

Tuna

Walnuts

Flaxseed

Basil

Berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries

Spinach

Arugula

Indulge in Foods High in The Mineral Selenium

Selenium is another antioxidant mineral that plays a key role in the health of skin cells. In fact, Selenium is so vital to skin health that some studies have shown that Selenium can help sun-damaged skin recover while other studies have linked Selenium deficiency to skin cancer.

Whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat spaghetti, pork, turkey, duck, tuna, swordfish, and Brazil nuts are just a few examples of foods high in Selenium.

Avoid High-Glycemic Carbohydrates

High-glycemic carbohydrates are “fast-burning” carbohydrates that quickly release glucose into your bloodstream causing your blood sugar levels to spike and plummet, shortly after. In other words, high-glycemic carbohydrates reek havoc on your blood sugar levels and lead to radical chemical changes in your body that can trigger the release of age-accelerating free radicals.

In turn, these free radicals reek havoc on your body and skin by triggering inflammation and breaking down collagen. The result is dull, saggy skin that is prone to frequent breakouts. White bread, doughnuts, potato chips, pretzels, dates, and corn chips are amongst some of the foods rated high on the glycemic food index.

Explore Berries

Besides being high in essential fatty acids, berries are also high in antioxidants. In fact, a recently published study in theJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that berries have, “the highest total antioxidant capacity of any food”.

Antioxidants are directly responsible for keeping our bodies young and healthy by fighting cell damaged caused by oxidation. According to Dr. Heller, “Free radicals, like the kind formed from sun exposure, damage the membrane of skin cells, potentially allowing damage to the DNA of that cell. When you help protect the cells from damage and disintegration, you also guard against premature aging. In this respect, these fruits may very well help keep your skin younger looking longer”.

Discover Green Tea

The antioxidant-based health benefits of tea are too numerous to list here. However, what makes green tea unique is that it contains some of the most potent forms of antioxidants nature has to offer. In fact, green tea is so high in antioxidants that it is commonly referred to as a Super Food. Therefore, it is not surprising that a study published in the Archives of Dermatology concluded that, “whether taken orally or applied to the skin, green tea can reduce the risk of damage from ultraviolet light (such as the burning rays of the sun), and thus reduce the risk of skin cancer”.

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Paulin Soleyman is the founder and editor of The Underground Bootcamp. Her goal is to help everyday people live healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives by sharing all that she knows about healthy living, nutrition, and fitness.

Paulin Soleyman is the founder and editor of The Underground Bootcamp. Her goal is to help everyday people live healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives by sharing all that she knows about healthy living, nutrition, and fitness. Read More…

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